2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$25,995 to $30,990

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Although the price of gasoline has dropped, and sales of hybrid vehicles along with it, Kia remains committed to providing its customers with green options. In that regard, the 2017 Kia Optima arrives with an all-new drivetrain. Kia improves upon an already very impressive Optima Hybrid, with a new design that also allows for a plug-in hybrid version of the vehicle.

Jumping right to the good stuff, Kia expects the new 2017 Optima Hybrid to improve its fuel efficiency by about 10% over the outgoing 2016 model. That could EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of over 40 mpg across the board (city, highway, combined), impressive for a spacious 5-passenger vehicle with this much style and flair. The Optima’s CO2 emissions may also dip down to around 220 grams per mile. It is even possible that the EPA smog rating for the Optima will move from a 9 to a 10. With gasoline near $2.00 across most of the U.S. at the time of this writing, the more impressive number for the Optima Hybrid may be its cost for fuel per mile, which stands at 5 cents, meaning it's as inexpensive to drive as many battery-electric vehicles in some key markets.

To make the jump to 40 mpg on the Optima Hybrid, Kia has had to make significant changes to the vehicle. The Hybrid will adopt the fourth-generation Optima design from the 2016 non-hybrid models, with the attractive styling and interior upgrades reviewers loved. The body also has some very subtle but important enhancements. Up front, active grill shutters improve highway fuel efficiency while still allowing for proper engine cooling. Out back, the tailpipe is shrouded for better air flow. The wheels are more aerodynamic, as are the corners of the rear bumper and rear air diffuser. The upshot of all these small tweaks is a 0.24 drag coefficient that Kia claims is the lowest in the segment.

Of course, the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid’s drivetrain has also been improved. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder replaces the outgoing 2.4-liter engine, but power remains about the same, at an estimated 155 hp. The electric motor, however, is now rated at 38 kW instead of 35kW. As with all hybrid electric vehicles, the electric motor’s torque at low RPMs helps make the Optima Hybrid more responsive in around-town driving. The engine is coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission, which is a little unusual, given that hybrids normally adopt continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) to squeeze out extra fuel efficiency. Those who want a hybrid but not a CVT may find the Optima Hybrid to be the best of both worlds. Rather than a torque converter and engine starter motor, the electric motor is coupled directly to the gas engine with a clutch. Kia promises that the transitions from electric drive to supplemental electric support or gasoline-only power will be smooth and seamless.

Kia has also made significant changes to the Optima Hybrid's battery pack. The new battery has a 13% larger capacity, at 1.62 kWh, enabling the vehicle to recapture more energy through regenerative braking. And unlike in most hybrid sedans, the 2017 Optima Hybrid’s battery is now seamlessly packaged below the trunk cargo floor, meaning it does not intrude upon trunk space. The new battery placement also allows the rear seats to split and fold 60/40-style.

Midsize sedans tend to be family cars, and the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid will be among the safest vehicles on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given the Optima ratings of Good in all crash-test categories, and the Optima Hybrid's new Superior-rated forward collision-prevention system with emergency auto braking should earn it a Top Safety Pick+ designation. Blind-spot detection, advanced smart cruise control, and a lane-departure warning system round out the available active safety systems.

Not all technology updates on the 2017 Optima Hybrid are life-and-death related, however. The infotainment system now includes Apple CarPlay, and a premium 630-watt Harman Kardon sound system with ten speakers is optional.

Expect prices for the base Optima Hybrid to start at about $27K, with a fully loaded model running into the mid-$30K range. Kia says the new 2017 Optima Hybrid should arrive at dealerships this summer.

Published May 31, 2022 by John Goreham

User reviews for 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid

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User rating:
by Charles Y
Mar 12, 2024
Nothing it cool car I like it fresh Taste for me Mar 12, 2024
by Alan D
Sep 18, 2023
I had a 2012 OPTIMA SX before and it was super quiet and a smooth ride. I missed it and I looked for a newer Optima and ended up with a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium. It is also super quiet and a smooth ride but with over 40 mpg and modern features like Sirius, blind spot detection, Android Auto, Apple Car play. 2017 was the year when the Optima changed to most if not all of the current features.Sep 18, 2023

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Pricing

Original MSRP
$25,995 to $30,990
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Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.32

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 50 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 38 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 140 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Kit: tire sealant

Steering

Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 630 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leatherette · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Ambient lighting: color · Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.32

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 50 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 38 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 140 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: sensor-activated · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Kit: inflator kit

Steering

Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (2)